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New Turbo Tax copy protection causing problems
[link|http://news.com.com/2100-1040-980600.html?tag=lh|Complaints mount from TurboTax customers ]

"...Intuit announced last year that it would limit unlicensed distribution of TurboTax by incorporating technology that links each copy of the program to a particular PC. Because of SafeCast, customers can only print and electronically file returns from the PC the software was activated on.

The activation code that unlocks TurboTax is stored on the hard drive and kept hidden from the customer. Contrary to previous claims by Intuit, that means anyone buying a new PC or replacing a hard drive needs to call Intuit support to reactivate the product, a process some have complained is cumbersome and unwarranted.

"If you uninstall, and then install on a different computer, you either have to beg for a new activation code or buy a new license," Ed, a Texas tech support worker who declined to give his full name, said in an e-mail interview. "Life is way too short for this kind of nonsense...to use a $30 piece of software."

Is this the future of software?
New Yes, it is the future of software . .
The public has rejected software not from a very few "leaders" for so long, a few monopolies and near monopolies are all that's left. Monopolies maximize their profits - they owe that to their stockholders (coming soon to a Red Hat near you).

What the application vendors, such as Intuit (and Microsoft) see as maximizing their profits is to get away entirely from packaged product and the expensive upgrade process. The final solution is to offer their products as ASP (Application Service Provider) services. When they have accomplished that, they control not only the program, but hold the customer's data on their servers. Pay by the month/year or you're out of business.

When asked if that was the future of Microsoft products, Bill Gates responded, "I believe in the long run things will be architected that way".

Of course, universal broadband is a ways off, so boxed product (perhaps with an expiration and lease license) will be necessary for some time. The objective is to make the boxed product such a hassle it will be used only by those who have no other choice.

Intuit currently offers a number of ASP services, and I seem to recall tax preparation is one of them.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
Expand Edited by Andrew Grygus Jan. 15, 2003, 12:18:03 PM EST
     Turbo Tax copy protection causing problems - (bluke) - (1)
         Yes, it is the future of software . . - (Andrew Grygus)

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